Adam looks in wonder at the divine cosmological plan, represented above him in astronomical figures on a scroll; Eve looks at Adam. Etching.

Date:
[1737]
Reference:
15523i
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Description

Bible. O.T. Genesis 1-2. The first four days of Creation are presented in astronomical form, as six circles, the first showing undifferentiated chaos, the last the completed plan. Each circle depicts the universe in increasing complexity, which Stackhouse describes at the beginning of his book. The first circle is black, marked "chaos of the sun and seven planets". The second, marked "let there be light", shows the planets divided in their solidity while fiery particles agitate things into differentiation, into light and darkness. The third shows the waters disciplined into seas circumscribing the planets. However, the earth is the only one to have a clear firmament; the other planets remain immersed in watery matter. The fourth shows the differentiation on the earth and moon of water from fertile land. In the centre of the fifth circle, the fiery particles are condensed into an orb and the sun is born. Around the circle (the universe now having become solar system), the stars, as givers of light, are created. The sixth circle shows the solar system in the contemporary astronomical order

Publication/Creation

[London], [1737]

Physical description

1 print : etching ; platemark 33.9 x 20.2 cm

Lettering

To the Rt. Revd. Father in God Edmund Ld. Bp. of London. This plate is most humbly inscrib'd by his Lordships most dutiful & obedient son & servt. Tho. Stackhouse.

Creator/production credits

Bishop Edmund Gibson, the dedicatee, was patron to Stackhouse, the author

Reference

Wellcome Collection 15523i

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